Violence Gene
| July 21st, 2008 by Robert | Word Count: 1172 | Reading Time 4:42 | 2,142 views |
Over the weekend, I watched an online news clip from CNN’s medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and I just had to write an article about the subject. Yes, it appears that researchers have found not one, but three genes which potentially determine violent behavior in humans. How did our “crack team” of scientists determine these genes existed? They studied about 20,000 young men from grades 7-12 over a period of time doing blood tests, interviews, and using other various forms of informational gathering techniques. Apparently, they have come to a theoretical conclusion that 1% of our population has these 3 genes born within them similar to their eye color. As I’m fairly certain, you probably sense I’m not all that impressed by this “study” and its results. Of course not, how can any of us be surprised there is a propensity for violence in our nature? 1%? Are they kidding?
Personally, I think the propensity for violence in our society is near 100%. I’m speaking about rational, functional individuals living amongst us. We are ALL born with the “genes” of violence within us, men and women alike. It’s in our nature, specific genes or not. Our current crop of scientists believes they can pinpoint each individual gene, or group of genes, responsible for everything. The Human Genome Project has shown great promise when working towards counteracting disease and trying to inhibit their impact on people but are we looking too deep into this equation? Maybe one day they can find the gene that makes men believe they are always going the right direction even without a map. Better yet, maybe we can find the gene and eliminate it from our children before birth that causes teenagers to think they know everything when in fact, they do not.
Given enough time, money, and human subjects, every “study” will produce results which can form some semblance of a “ground breaking” statement. Why exactly would we be looking for a “violence gene?” Are we looking to weed out the bad apples from society? Are we trying to find out who would be best suited for military careers? Are we trying to “correct” them before they become violent? Why do we believe we must fix everything? Finding a violence gene in humans is like finding out babies cry when they are hungry. To only assume that 1% of our nation has these genes is ludicrous. Every person has the ability to be violent. Most are able to say no to their nature because of some of the following: They are rational. They have moral and ethical values. They have religious faith deeming violence is wrong. They know right from wrong. They are mentally stable.
We live in a free society where most people are rewarded for being non-violent. However, that does not mean that 99% of us are born without the propensity for violence and have dormant “violent genes” residing within our genetic makeup. According to the study, some triggers which results in violence from these genetic anomalies are: stress, family problems, failing school, and low popularity. They cannot be serious can they? Studying 20,000 young men resulted in the profound findings you just read? Oh, and the study also found that if the family eats dinner together on a regular basis, the propensity for violence returned to almost zero. Yes, yet another groundbreaking insight into human behavior.
While I am all for studying people and how our genetics impact our lives and health, studies such as these are time fillers, money wasters, and gibberish. People who are prone to violence do not need a blood test to show the world they need help. They produce specific knowledge to those who know them. People who are more apt to “snap” display social characteristics throughout their life both during their younger years and during adulthood that differentiate them from the people who can readily control their violent nature within. I’m sure you know a few individuals who fit this bill, we all do. Personally, I know I am prone to violence as there are some people in my past who can attest to that fact. But, now that I’m older, more mature, and have a very good base of moral and ethical parameters differentiating what is right and wrong, I can control my violent nature and choose to do what’s right and be non-violent.
Right there, ever so subtle, the word “choose” comes into the equation. We, as thinking human beings, have choices to make. We choose to be violent or we do not. Even the most “crazy” individuals make choices. In the end, we are continually searching for reasons to blame our problems on. We, the individual or even society, are never the culprit in what has gone wrong in our lives. It must always be something or someone else’s fault for why we are the way we are and what we do. Accepting that we have choice and choose to do the wrong thing brings about accountability. And with accountability, you must have consequences for action and responsibility. These words carry great weight in our lives. Many people just cannot deal with the ramifications of their choices and return to their violent nature. We are all capable of doing what is wrong just as much as we are at doing what is right.
However, we want something other than ourselves to blame for when we choose to do what’s wrong. We take the accolades and compliments for when we make the right decisions as we have earned them right? But when we are wrong, low and behold, it was a genetic anomaly that was at fault. While I’m sure genetics plays a big part in the formation of who we are and creates “roadblocks” during our development, we become mature, rational adults at some point in our lives. Young people will always act out, some more than others, but trying to place the blame on a genetic sequence is beyond me when violence is in our human nature. Our environment around us also plays a large part in determining who we are. The study of course showed bad environments will “trigger” violence from people “afflicted” by these genes. However, aren’t we all?
I’m not convinced we are born to follow a certain destiny our genes have been imprinted with upon creation and then birth. If we believe our genetics and environment are to blame for every single thing we do, then are we actually thinking individuals or just products of pre-wired destiny? The one thing that separates us from everything else on this planet is that we are rational, thinking beings. When was it ok to start blaming everything else but the one thing at the root of the issue? We make our choices and we must accept the results from those choices. Genetics or not, we are still in control of our decisions, even if we are “pre-disposed” to violence (which we all are). I choose to be non-violent, so can everyone else.
on July 24th, 2008 at 8:03 pm:
I watch a lot of the True Crime shows out there that go in depth on the ‘whys’ that a particular crime occurred. I think for the most part that we can control our actions or reactions to others. However, I think sometimes that things happen to a person at an early age that breaks that rational part of their brains. And, no I’m not saying all horrific crimes can be blamed for that. I do think that genes or whatever it is, can make a person “weak-minded” and unable to handle as much as another person could in a situation.
History has shown some sick individuals and the signs were there at an early age, but either went unnoticed or turned a blind eye. These sickos tortured animals and other things, KNOWING it was wrong, but enjoyed it. So it grew into adulthood and with human nature, the animal torture got old/boring/unsatisfying… so they move on to people. Yes.. still knowing it’s wrong, but they enjoy it, so it’s somehow justified in their minds.
I still don’t know how these people can be considered normal and be able to do the things they do. But, one thing that makes me second guess their “crazy minds”.. How come we hear of so many serial killers, I’m talking sick ones… that function completely normal in society.. so far as that when they are found out, no one can believe it? How can you be normal in every aspect of life and yet be so depraved that you can murder? Makes you wonder about what you were talking about.. making choices.
on July 24th, 2008 at 8:21 pm:
There are people who at a young age, and even sometimes an older age, that are placed under such incomprehensible situations, their mind breaks. As you said, some may have less power to deal than others, but some situations are unbearable and create great issues for those who suffer them.
However, even under these dire circumstances, more often than not, their family knows of the potential rational breakdown of their mind. I do not believe the gene theory applies to these individuals. They are not “genetically prone” to violence prior to the event. Their mind and body have been altered by physical violence done to them.
As for the sociopath you have described, they are making choices. They make a choice to fit into society and hide their affinity for murder. They are also making choices to murder. These people are filling a need in their lives because of a warped and insane sense of being. They are in fact crazy. That should be the gene we are searching for due to the fact a very small percentage of society is crazy. We are all capable of violence, but I do not believe we are all crazy or capable of being sociopaths.
on July 24th, 2008 at 8:35 pm:
I wonder what the future would be if some of the Doctors and or Scientist decide that these genes can be found while still in the womb, would that be another reason that they can perform abortions? We already know from past experience that Doctors already make a lot of mistakes with their diagnoses.
I personally believe that a lot of these problems could be prevented if there were both parents raising these kids, teaching and showing by example Right from Wrong. Also let the parents discipline their children, not beatings or playing mind games with their children, but show them that you love them by giving them clear direction and boundaries to live by.
At the same time the school systems should be allowed to discipline unruly students. Start taking these children to church and get them off the streets.
on July 24th, 2008 at 8:46 pm:
I’m sure they are planning on introducing some sort of gene therapy pre-birth and also potential drug treatment for young children similar to how they utilized ritalin and similar mind altering drugs. I was going to mention this in the article but did not. I was thinking it would come up in conversation and it has. There was a movie in the last 5-10 years called Gattaca. It focuses its entire plot on the theory of doctors creating a perfect class of people by “fixing” issues in the womb. More and more, we are heading that direction.
I totally agree with you about boundaries and discipline of children. We all need rules, rewards, and consequences. Without the parents involved in the lives of children, young people will do anything, including acting out in violent behavior. There are no moral or ethical grounds to tell them not to other than a society which they distrust and disrespect anyway.
School systems, church, and family are the 3 most important factors for young people developing rational behavior. Without them, we are handicapped from the start.